Harleen Deol’s journey in international cricket, since her debut in 2019 as a teenager, has been marked by ups and downs, especially in white-ball formats. Despite her recognized all-around talent, particularly in batting, Deol took time to solidify her game. This resulted in inconsistent appearances in the national team. However, the 2024-25 season has emerged as a significant breakthrough, highlighted by her first international century.
This newfound confidence was evident in her T20 play, culminating in a match-winning unbeaten 70 against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow. Facing a challenging target of 178 against Delhi’s formidable bowling attack, Deol anchored the innings, guiding Gujarat Giants to victory with three balls to spare.
Head coach Michael Klinger was full of praise for her performance and adaptability. “That was an extremely mature knock,” Klinger stated in the post-match press conference.
“She built crucial partnerships with several players, starting with Beth Mooney, then Ash Gardner, Dottin, and Kashvee towards the end. Harleen’s effort today was fantastic, and in fact, she has been outstanding throughout the entire tournament. We have asked her to take on different roles, batting in the middle order and, in recent games, at number three. Her flexibility and willingness to contribute to the team’s needs are commendable. I am incredibly proud of her progress and contribution.”
While Deol’s breakthrough season with the national team positioned her as a top-order player, she began the 2025 WPL season as a finisher. However, with initial results not going their way, Gujarat Giants adjusted their batting order, allowing Deol to return to the top order, an opportunity she seized decisively. GG are currently on a three-match winning streak, and Deol has been instrumental in two of these victories.
“I believe she is in a very positive frame of mind. To be honest, she was likely disappointed at the start of the tournament when she wasn’t batting in the top order, playing at five or six. However, she embraced the role wholeheartedly, which has ultimately enhanced her ability to perform in various roles.”
“For Indian coaches and selectors, it is now clear that Harleen is capable of playing effectively both in the middle and top order. This versatility makes her a valuable asset for the T20 squad, knowing she can adapt to different game situations. I am genuinely happy for her because she has embraced both roles and excelled in them.”
Beyond Deol’s resurgence, Gujarat’s improved performance this season is also due to a more balanced team composition. In previous seasons, there was an over-reliance on overseas players and batting, often offset by bowling frailties. This season has seen a shift, with domestic Indian bowlers stepping up significantly. This has allowed players like Ash Gardner and Deandra Dottin to play with greater freedom and expressiveness.
“From a strategic viewpoint, we now have an additional eight quality overs from Kashvee and Priya. They were not part of the team last year. Kashvee was injured, and Priya, although in the squad, was not consistently selected. Priya has been excellent, showing improvement across all areas, including bowling and fielding. These eight overs have been a significant bonus for us.”
Klinger also noted that the current GG squad demonstrates a stronger temperament compared to previous seasons, attributing this improvement to valuable exposure to high-level cricket.
“Over the past 12 months, I am proud that six of our players represented India A when they played against Australia A, and five players received their first call-up to represent India. This experience and exposure to high-pressure cricket have been invaluable leading into this tournament, where they are competing against top-quality Indian and international players.”
“The experience gained from the previous WPL season to this one has significantly boosted their confidence, enabling them to face any opponent, regardless of reputation. They are now focused on playing each ball on its merit, reacting to the game situation rather than being intimidated by the opponent’s name.”
